Specialty Beer (Imperial Black Ale)
9% abv
Score:
Appearance: 8/10
Aroma: 24/25
Taste: 37/40
Mouthfeel: 9/10
Style: 5/5
Drinkability: 8/10
Overall: 91/100
Impression:
With a decent pour and fair head retention, this beer starts off on the right note. The aromas are full and complex, dominated mainly by roasted tones like coffee and chocolate/cocoa, with a bit of citrus, plums, dates, and a piney twang in the background. The flavors follow the nose pretty closely, but some of the malt-sweetness (caramel in particular) comes through more clearly, while the roasty character (burnt/charred toast) adds to the complexity. What impresses me the most about this beer and brings it up to an A level for me is the full-bodied smoothness -- it goes down like rich velvet. I'm glad there's one more left in my keezer.
Cheers!
